Beaches are paradise getaways under the sun, with sand and surf aplenty.
But some beaches are home to a number of hidden dangers and hazards that can ruin any vacation—or even potentially kill you.
If your plans for your beachside holiday include reading, relaxing and surviving, cross these treacherous destinations off your list.
Here are 10 of the world’s most dangerous beaches.
1. Hanakapiai Beach, Hawaii
The stunning three-kilometre hike to Hanakapiai Beach on the island of Kauai proves that looks can be deceiving. While the destination may look like paradise, that water holds incredibly strong rip currents. The trail sign keeps an updated tally of the number of deaths stemming from visitors who chose to forego caution and swim anyway. According to The Outdoor Project, the rip currents are so strong because this coastal area isn’t protected by any reef.
2. New Smyrna Beach, Florida
It’s known as the shark attack capital of the world: In 2017, University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File recorded nine shark bites for the year, down from 15 in 2016. While that sounds like good news, it still puts New Smyrna Beach-goers at more risk for shark attacks than anywhere else in the world.
3. Gansbaai, South Africa
Not far off the coast of this popular holiday destination lies a stretch of ocean called Shark Alley. Shark cage diving, which puts tourists in shark-proof cages to get them up-close-and-personal with the creatures, puts a somewhat safe spin on the area. However, the publication Digital Nomad points out that there’s an “inordinate amount of blood and chum being dumped along the South African shoreline every day” to lure the sharks close to the boats.
4. Cape Tribulation, Australia
If you want to swim the waters of the aptly named Cape Tribulation, Cape-Trib.com suggests you wear a “stinger suit” as the area is home to a lot of stinging jellyfish. Saltwater crocodiles are also prevalent; the locals advise visitors stay away from swimming in the mouths of rivers. If that’s not enough to keep you out of the water, consider these obstacles: Cassowaries – big flightless birds – whose dagger-like claws “can disembowel you,” and stinging trees which, yes, can actually sting you quite painfully with their jagged-edged leaves.
5. Playa Zipolite, Mexico
When a place’s nickname is the “Beach of Death”, you’ll want to think twice about visiting. Playa Zipolite looks like a stunning oasis, but its waters boast strong and potentially fatal undercurrents. Thanks to the beach’s growing popularity a special lifeguard team has been put in place; still, you may want to choose a different destination.
6. Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, UK
Described by The Guardian as “a treacherous place”, Morecambe Bay is dangerous because of all the freaky obstacles, such as quicksand, shifting channels, and river drainages. The locals have actually used horse-drawn carts and tractors with trailers to peruse the area, with the result that the machinery sinks into the quicksand never to be seen again.
7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
It may not have the same shark-infested waters or pollutants of other destinations on this list, but in 2017 Myrtle Beach was named the third most dangerous city in America, according to a SafeWise study based on crimes per capita. Residents refuted the ranking, however. “If you’ve visited Myrtle Beach, if you live here, it absolutely doesn’t make sense,” city spokesman Mark Kruea told ABC 15 News after the report was released.
8. Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai
Overwhelming pollution puts Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai on this list: Waste and debris cloud the waters and shoreline. To add insult to injury, a ship sank in the area in 2011 spilling 60,000 metric tons of coal. Not exactly the type of waters for beach fun.
9. Fraser Island, Australia
Famous for its eco-tourism, Fraser Island attracts adventure-seekers from all over the world. But the beach conditions are unpredictable, and attacks by the island’s dingo population have resulted in deaths. Visitors are instructed to avoid running down sand dunes and diving into lakes. Area officials also suggest folks avoid swimming on the eastern side of the island as conditions are extremely hazardous.
10. Amazon Beaches, South America
You’ll find plenty of animals that pose an issue for swimmers here, such as anacondas, electric eels, piranhas, and vampire fish (candiru). Unfortunately, the area is also home to quite a bit of gang-related crime, like drug trafficking and robberies. Hundreds of small rivers make it easier for criminals to make their escape, like modern-day pirates. Still keen on a South American adventure?
Bonus: Arnhem Land, Australia
Australia’s poisonous wildlife isn’t limited to land species. In this far-flung corner of the continent in the Northern Territory, you’ll share the water with ravenous saltwater crocs, stonefish, jellyfish and so much more. And the area is so isolated (most beaches don’t have names) that any call for help may go unanswered for a long time. Want to dive a little deeper?
